Clarinet help

[shelly3girls]

My DD starts clarinet lessons next week. We were very fortunate that our niece just stopped taking lessons and gave her the clarinet. I know that we need to purchase a music stand but I am not sure what else she will need. My niece said she will need reeds designed for beginners but I am not sure what to order. We do not have a music store around us and the music teacher is out until Monday, the day of her first lesson. I would hate for her not to have a reed for her first lesson. I know there are a couple music teachers on the boards, can someone please tell me what to order?
TIA!

 

[Tazicket]

How exciting!! I'm not a music teacher, but I've played the clarinet for 12 years. I started on Rico brand reeds, the 2 1/2 thickness. When I started, the Ricos were relatively inexpensive (so good to start with, since you tend to break a lot when you're first starting). I switched to Mitchel-Laurie 3 1/2s after playing for a couple of years (more expensive, but they get a really nice sound for me).

Best of luck to you and your DD!!

 

[mom2boys]

The Rico 2 1/2 s are what they started my son on in the 4th grade. Now that he is in middle school, he is using 3s.

 

[Nette]

Yep, think I started on Rico 2.5s as well... moved to Mitchell Laurie 4s in High School.

 

[shelly3girls]

Thanks, any idea where I should order them?

 

[Galahad]

Thanks, any idea where I should order them?

I'm a clarinetist and clarinet teacher in my evening life. The reeds listed are fine, but it will also depend a lot on the mouthpiece that comes with the clarinet. There may be one closer, but you can order online from www.wwbw.com and they will get them there pretty fast - maybe not by Monday though (you might want to call their phone number and have them shipped faster).

Also, if it's a first lesson and the teacher typically teaches beginners, they will likely have some reeds also.

 

[golfgal]

I would wait until her first lesson to buy too much. Chances are you can buy reeds from the teacher, usually for less then you can buy them for yourself. As for a stand, don't waste money on a folding stand, get one of the nice, sturdy black ones. If she doesn't stick with the clarinet you can donate it to the school but the folding stands aren't worth the money.

You will probably want to get a guard for her mouthpiece too. It is a rubber piece that you stick on the mouthpiece that keeps it from getting all nicked up from her teeth. A pad for her thumb rest is also a good idea.

Wait until after her lesson to buy anything.

 

[eh24fan]

Ear plugs for anyone else in the house. I play (well played) clarinet and the first few months will be painful to the ears of anyone listening. Squeaks, squawks and general "yikes" sounds will abound.

Otherwise, you'll end up buying a lot of reeds for awhile,they break, chip, crack, etc. And make sure she has one of the cloth things with a string to clean the inside of the clarinet after EVERY use. Otherwise it will be NASTY!

 

[richmond282]

I start my beginning clarinetists on Rico size 2. I let them use 1 box (10 reeds) of 2s and then we switch to 2.5.

I wouldn't assume the teacher is bringing reeds. I don't supply instrument accessories for my students. You could call the teacher and just ask what he or she recomends for reeds and where to get them. If the instructor provides reeds, they'll probably say so.

Your DD will not be able to play w/o reeds. Make sure you get them before the lesson.

 

[richmond282]

And make sure she has one of the cloth things with a string to clean the inside of the clarinet after EVERY use. Otherwise it will be NASTY!

They are called "swabs"

 

[roseprincess]

My DD starts clarinet lessons next week. We were very fortunate that our niece just stopped taking lessons and gave her the clarinet. I know that we need to purchase a music stand but I am not sure what else she will need. My niece said she will need reeds designed for beginners but I am not sure what to order. We do not have a music store around us and the music teacher is out until Monday, the day of her first lesson. I would hate for her not to have a reed for her first lesson. I know there are a couple music teachers on the boards, can someone please tell me what to order?
TIA!

I find it a little odd the music/band teacher is out til Monday and didn't give a phone # or email address if you needed to contact a music teacher for questions before the first lesson? Are the lessons at school or private lessons at teacher's home or your home or a studio? If the clarinet lessons are at school, there should be a school district band/music dept to call to get your questions answered.
Is there a way Dniece can give your DD an extra reed to start with?

My DS takes clarinet lessons and band practice for 6th grade band at school.
Our band teacher does supply clarinet reeds to buy. We also use Rico 2.5 reeds.

Best wishes to your DD and that she enjoys clarinet lessons
My DS really enjoys the clarinet and being a part of school band.
Tho DS doesn't practice as often as he should(shhh, don't tell band teacher )

Forgot to mention, we use a folding music stand at home. We were told by our dist band teachers that it was somewhat mandatory for everyone in band to buy a folding music stand, to practice at home and if they wanted to bring it to afterschool band practice, they can. My DS sometimes feels more comfortable bringing his own music stand for afterschool band practice. It is alot easier to lug around a folding music stand than a regular music stand.

 

[Tinijocaro]

My DS really enjoys the clarinet and being a part of school band.
Tho DS doesn't practice as often as he should(shhh, don't tell band teacher )

Band teacher knows, trust me, he knows.

 

[roseprincess]

Band teacher knows, trust me, he knows.

 

[TruBlu]

I'd start with a 2 or 2.5 - the higher the number the more strength she will need to play it. And, if you order them, definitely order several. They are very easy to break.

 

[shelly3girls]

Thank you for all of the replies. I ordered a box of 2.5 reeds so she will have something to start and will get the 2's if necessary. The teacher is out on medical leave and since we live in a very small district she is the only one. Thanks again for all of the advice.